Chapter 9

Abby was resting at Harper's house with the other ol' ladies, as well as Louisa, Melanie, Bree, Caleb, Georgie, Maggie, Lila, and Cassie. Until, or if, Warren Knight was questioned, there was no telling how long he'd been in Mount Grove or who he had with him. It was possible that Knight knew about Bulldog's house. Bulldog wasn't risking any of their lives on assumptions, so he had Angel and Cage move everyone to club property.

Before Lucky had built his house on club property, he'd owned a house in town and had a neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, who was a sweet widow in her seventies that loved to babysit Scotty. The two of them would spend their day watching true crime shows and hunting for the squirrels eating Mrs. Henderson's rose bushes. Despite moving away and no longer being neighbors, Lucky still looked in on Mrs. Henderson. Come spring, he'd be at her house doing lawn maintenance and checking to make sure there was no damage from the winter months. Every few days, Harper or Lucky dropped Scotty off at Mrs. Henderson's after school so the two of them could have some alone time or take care of something they didn't want Scotty around for or to know about. In an effort to calm Scotty down after the bakery incident, Lucky had driven Scotty to hang out with Mrs. Henderson for a while. Since she was not connected to the club in any way, Scotty would be safe there.

Sitting at the conference table in the upstairs room the club called Church, Bulldog was utterly conflicted. The clubhouse had been cleared out of everyone who wasn't a patched member. Warren Knight had been moved into the cellar, but their typical treatment of prisoners wasn't met. He wasn't chained to the ceiling nor was he stripped naked. Instead, he was left bound and gagged on the floor unconscious. Quinten, the prospect who was about to be patched over, was standing guard above the cellar door. The other two prospects, Sara and Will, were guarding Harper's house. For now, the club had decided to leave Scotty at Mrs. Henderson's. Carlos at least had agreed to swing by and check on the two of them.

Since Pumpkin, Grumpy, and Keys were in Roanoke, they were attending the meeting via video call. Keys had installed a television on the back wall of the room with two microphone/speaker devices on either side of the VDMC logo that was etched into the wood table. It looked like the three members were crowded around a round table in a motel room.

As soon as Scar, who was always last, entered and closed the door, Steel slapped his gavel down on the table. "To get everyone caught up, Warren Knight appeared at Loafin' Around this afternoon. None of us recognized him as it's been years since anyone's taken a picture of the man. Scar, how did you know it was him?"

Bulldog's phone beeped. He pulled it out but was unable to read the message out loud. He looked up and met Scar's eyes, who was staring back at him. Scar had no reason to lie, but Bulldog wished he was. He passed his phone to Steel, not trusting himself to read the message without flying off in a rage.

Steel took the phone and cleared his throat. "‘I didn't realize who he was at first. I overheard him on the phone as he passed me on the street that he had found her. Suspicious, I followed him into the bakery. I knew as soon as he'd sat down behind Abby that he was connected to the community. He claimed he had a gun, which was why Abby didn't call out. He threatened to shoot you if she warned you. He then told her that he sold her to the community. She would be placed inside the church to be raped and used freely by the men of the community until dead. I stepped in, not wanting her to hear anymore. She shouldn't have had to hear that to begin with, and I'm sorry I didn't stop him sooner. I never should have allowed him to enter the bakery but was unsure of who he was or his intentions until he started talking to her.'" Steel paused and then read the second message. "‘Please tell Abby I'm sorry.'"

It was obvious Steel was fighting to keep his voice even by the end. Bulldog was battling between the need to throw up and the need to punch something. Lucky didn't look much better, likely fighting the memories from when Harper had almost been gang-raped in front of him. None of the VDMC brothers looked happy. Some were pale. Angel looked like she wanted to rip off Knight's head with her bare hands.

Jumper, who sat at Bulldog's left, put his hand on Bulldog's shoulder in silent support. A glance at the wide television on the wall showed Grumpy had stepped away from the camera.

Steel handed back Bulldog's phone. He looked down the table at Scar who sat opposite of Bear. "You caught what none of the rest of us did. You owe no one an apology." Scar nodded once to his President, but Bulldog could tell his friend wasn't in agreement. Looking up at the screen, he asked, "Do you have anything new from Roanoke?"

"Unfortunately, no," Pumpkin answered. "We're to the point where we're not even sure what else we can do down here."

"Keys," Steel called out. "Of what you have, is anything damning enough to get the police involved?"

Some of the brothers looked confused at Steel's words while others looked to Bulldog, as if wondering what he thought of this idea.

"Being extremely religious and opinionated isn't a crime and, unfortunately, that's all our surveillance shows," Keys said apologetically. "Unless we get into the individual houses, we're at a dead-end, Steel."

"Pumpkin and I are going to need to come home soon," Grumpy said as he walked back into the frame.

Steel looked at the folder in front of him that had everything Keys had put together so far. Despite them surveilling the community for three weeks, not much had been added to the folder since Keys had first handed it to Steel. "I spoke to Cassie in private," he informed them. "She doesn't have a location for the community she came from. They were so secluded that she had no way of knowing. All she could tell me was that it was hot most of the year."

"Does she know how long the ride was to West Virginia?" Demo asked.

Steel shook his head. "She could only tell me it was a really long time and how awful the trip was with no food, water, or bathroom breaks. Several of the others she was with got sick."

Bulldog scowled, not for the lack of information Cassie had been able to tell but for what his adopted daughter had gone through. "So she can't help us find Cameron."

"No," Steel said solemnly. "Juan Castillo has nothing either. He's not connected to the human trafficking world as his brother had been. He's not making any headway. However, he did tell me that there is an uptake in trafficking on the east coast in the past five years. That did not decline with his brother's operation being shut down. If he hears anything else, he says he'll call."

"Maybe there is no connection," Lucky offered. "Maybe the two communities just trade women when they need new blood. From what Abby described, there's some inbreeding going on too. Could be that like-communities decided to swap women."

"And the dress?" Bulldog asked. "Cassie's outfit was exactly the same as the ones those women were wearing in Ohiopyle."

"Castillo's organization didn't have the rights to all white dresses," Lucky said warily. "From what Cassie said, she was in that dress from the time she left her community to when she got to your house. Of course, her dress was filthy and ragged."

Bulldog wanted to shout in frustration. But finally he had to concede, "He's got a point."

Steel was quiet as he thought for a moment. "I'm not willing to drop the Castillo connection until we know for a fact that Cameron, whoever the fucker is, isn't involved." To the screen, Steel said, "Keys, put it on the backburner but don't discount it just yet."

Keys nodded but said nothing.

"We do have to make a decision about Roanoke," Steel told everyone. "Keys, Grumpy, and Pumpkin need to come home soon. Surveillance has gotten us nowhere. All we have is Abby's and Cassie's version of how life was there for them." Bulldog's hackles rose at Steel's words. He opened his mouth to defend his ol' lady and daughter, but Steel stopped him. "I believe them, but I'm not sure the cops will. We don't have enough to give to the cops without involving Abby, Cassie, and, possibly, Lila.

"Before we consider taking any further action ourselves, you all should know that Carlos has told me that he won't turn a blind-eye to our current situation as he has in the past. He reminded me that we swore to work with the law when we created the Via Daemonia. I stand by every action and decision we've made," Steel added sternly, raising a finger. "However, in the past, the police weren't options. Carlos is right. We've been venturing outside of the law a lot lately."

"But there's a difference between breaking the law for our own gain and breaking it to protect the ones we love," Bulldog defended. "We are not criminals."

"We aren't saints either," Lucky input. He met Bulldog's eyes. "I have a baby on the way, man. I won't do anything to risk my time or my life with my kids."

Furious at Lucky's words, Bulldog pounded a fist on the table. "So it was okay to go outside of the law when it was your ol' lady who was almost gang-raped? But when it's mine, we'll go to the cops?"

Lucky's face hardened. "Castillo was unfinished business for us, and you know it!"

"I also seem to recall being the one to put a bullet in his heart when you weren't in any condition to do so!" He looked down the table at Angel. "And you? You got your vengeance for what was done to Bree. Are you telling me that if you had your hands on Nathan Moore right now that you'd turn him over to the cops and call it a day?"

Angel scowled. She made to stand but Steel stopped her.

He turned his scowl on Bulldog. "This isn't a that-versus-this situation or whose ol' lady is more important. This is about the club. Our club. There are different ways to protect it. Keeping our members out of jail and alive would be a start."

"Carlos won't arrest any of us," Bulldog said without thinking.

"Can you guarantee that? Because that wasn't the impression I got from our conversation earlier." Silence met Steel's question. "Exactly. I am not blaming Carlos in any way. He's been good to us and he's family. However, we need to make a decision as to whether we're taking this fight to Roanoke ourselves or uphold who we swore to be when we created the club."

"What's the plan if we do?" Keys asked over the video call. "You haven't seen this place, Steel. It's like an old colonial town with electricity. Men walk about freely while women have to be escorted. It's so quiet you could hear a pin drop in the next house over. If a cop came riding through here, yeah it would seem weird, but there's nothing obviously illegal going on."

Steel looked up at the television where a camera was mounted. "Carlos's suggestion is for you to remain there and still collect the information we need. Yeah, it might involve digging deeper and maybe going into a house or two. Once we have something damning that the Feds can't ignore, we turn it over to them. That way the police handle the takedown, Abby and the kids aren't involved, and we keep our hands clean."

Rage flowed through Bulldog at the idea of not being the one to get revenge for his Abby. For not personally being the one to end Knight's life as well as the men who'd kept her prisoner for a total of thirteen years. He had Knight two stories below in a hidden cellar. It would be so easy to just end him right here and right now. Except Warren Knight didn't deserve a quick death. Mateo Castillo hadn't either, but Steel had done so as a favor to his brother Juan.

But, now, Bulldog owed no one no favors nor was he trying to keep the peace. Bulldog would make them all pay. He'd make them bleed.

"As much as I don't have a problem personally burning down that community, I too have a baby at home." Bear shrugged. "If there's a way to end them legally, then I say we take it."

"Coward." The word spilled out of Bulldog before he could stop it. Everyone looked at him, many of them none-too-nicely. Bulldog stood up and looked around the table. "All of you! Cowards! All of you were singing a different tune last week. We protect what is ours! Abby has been mine," he thumped his fist against his chest, "since we were in kindergarten. Do you think I'm just going to sit back and let the people who fuckingtorturedher for sixteen years, the man who raped her, live to see another sunrise?" Bulldog turned to Steel. "If this was Jenna, you'd be leading the charge. You'd be calling for blood. Abby is my ol' lady. She's been the ol' lady of my heart this entire time. I don't even know why we're debating this."

"Because I don't think you're seeing this clearly," Steel said. His voice was even and calm. The fucker. Bulldog was shaking in fury. "You were robbed of sixteen years with your soulmate. I can't even imagine the pain you're in, Bulldog. And you're right. If someone stole Jenna away from me, I'd be calling for blood." He made sure to catch Bulldog's eye before adding, "And I know you'd be there to stop me from going too far to get it."

"And how far is too far?" Bulldog pointed at the closed double doors. "Knight is already down in our cellar."

"And you want Adrian down there too, which is understandable. He raped her and, as a result, fathered her two children." Bulldog flinched at Steel's candor. "What about the men who purchased Abby before Adrian? Do you want those men in our cellar too? Does it end when every man who didn't bid at her wedding auction is down there? Or when you have the High Reverend who likely created the cult?"

Bulldog was seething inside. He couldn't believe they were even having this conversation. A week ago, they were all in agreement to take down the community their way. And now…? They were acting like he was out of line for wanting to continue with their plan, regardless of the ultimatum Carlos gave them. His heart was drumming in his chest, his ears ringing, his fists clenching. If it was called to a vote, he was going to lose. His brothers weren't going to support him. Steel's mind had already been made up. Bulldog was on his own.

He was going to fail Abby. Again.

Suddenly hands were on his shoulders spinning him around. Scar stood before him. Bulldog hadn't even noticed he'd gotten up from his seat.

The two men stood there in silence, sapphire eyes meeting golden brown.

Bulldog saw sympathy in Scar's eyes. Of everyone in this room and on the television screen, Bulldog knew Scar understood his pain. Scar hadn't been held hostage for sixteen years, but the horrors done to him in those weeks he'd been in those caves would have ended a weaker man. Of his team of eight, only Scar had survived. That guilt must be heavy.

The same guilt that weighted on Bulldog's chest. Slowly Scar's hands moved from Bulldog's shoulders to the back of his neck and then Scar pulled Bulldog down with a tight squeeze. Bulldog sagged against his friend, feeling the backs of his eyes sting. It had been over a decade since the last time Scar had embraced him like this.

He felt so weak, helpless. If the club wouldn't help him get revenge, Bulldog wasn't sure what he would do. How could he face Abby, knowing he'd failed her again? He wouldn't be worthy of Abby if he failed her again.

Scar stepped back from the embrace. Bulldog tried to make out the expression on his friend's face, but he saw none. Scar looked…hollow. Like what remained of his soul had left him.

Scar turned to Steel. Bulldog had momentarily forgotten they'd had an audience. Then Scar took off his cut and placed it on the table in front of Steel. Steel looked as equally confused as Bulldog felt. Scar laid his phone on top of his cut. He looked at Bulldog one more time, and then left the room.

Everyone stared after him in silence and shock. Had… Had Scar just quit the VDMC?

"Is he…coming back?" Bulldog's sluggish brain couldn't depict who asked the question behind him.

"What just happened?" another asked.

Steel put a shaky hand on the leather cut on the table in front of him. He looked up at Bulldog. "Would he go after the community alone?"

Bulldog's heart skipped a beat. He frantically shook his head but answered honestly, "I don't know."

Finally coming to his senses, Bulldog rushed out of the room. He heard footsteps following him. At the top of the stairs, he looked down at Quinten, who was guarding the cellar. "Where's Scar? Did he leave?"

Quinten looked up at them in confusion. "Scar? Isn't he up there with you?"

"No, he just left. Where did he go?"

But Q shook his head. "I'm sorry, Bulldog. I didn't see him leave."

Fuck!Bulldog bolted down the stairs and ran to the front doors. The large double doors were heavy, and it would be noticeable if they were opened. But if anyone could slip out of them undetected, it would be Scar. Outside looked just as they'd left it. The two SUVs were parked at the clubhouse. No other cages were around, and Bulldog didn't see any footprints in the snow. Could he have gone out the back? A check outside at the back pavilion showed the same thing—nothing.

Scar was just gone.

* * *

No one seemedto know what to say or do when they returned to Church. No one had quit before—if that was what Scar had done. The implication was there, but it wasn't like he'd said the words "I quit". Leaving his phone was ambiguous, though. Clearly, he didn't want to be found.

Bulldog felt numb as he retook his seat. Was Scar going after the community? If so, Bulldog needed to get to Roanoke. He needed to stop him. He needed to?—

Wait, stop him? Why stop him? Scar was more than capable of taking out the community leaders and anyone who participated in their heinous activities. But…he could get hurt. Ghost and his team hadn't seen any weapons, but that didn't mean there weren't any. Scar was a capable fighter and scary opponent, but he wasn't invincible.

Fuck. Bulldog closed his eyes, pressing the heels of his hands against his lids. Had he just somehow guilted his best friend into starting a bloodbath? He'd already survived too much. What if he was caught, either by the community or the police? Scar could Houdini his way out of most places, but he couldn't escape a jailcell.

"What did I just do?" Bulldog felt like he was going to be sick.

"He made his own choice," Steel said, but there was a waver in his voice that was unusual for Steel. "He chose to leave. You didn't ask him to."

Bulldog lifted his head. "I have to go after him. What if he's going to Roanoke?" He looked up at the television to the shocked faces of his five brothers. "Can you track him, Keys?"

Keys shook his head. "He left his phone with you. Honestly, I don't know anything about him. I don't even know his real name or where he lives."

It would be pointless to tell them his real name anyway. Scar didn't use it and Bulldog didn't know where Scar lived either.

Steel wrapped his knuckles against the table. "I'll hold onto Scar's cut until we know more information. I'm not going to assume he quit until I hear it from his own lips." He looked around the table. "Scar may be going to Roanoke. He might not be. Regardless, it doesn't change the decision that we have to make."

"And if we vote to stand down and Scar goes after the community anyway?" Bulldog asked quietly.

No one said anything. They all knew the answer: if Scar came back, he'd have his colors stripped for going against orders. If he went to Roanoke, there was no future with him with the VDMC whether he'd officially quit or not.

"We can hold off voting until we learn more," Lucky suggested. Besides Bulldog, he would be the only other member directly affected by Scar's decision. Sissy and Harper were Scar's friends, and they would be after Lucky for answers regarding Scar. There was also the possibility that Sissy might be more than a friend. They would also refuse to allow Scar to be booted from the club, regardless of what he did next.

"We'll hold off making a final vote," Steel clarified. He looked up at the television. "The mission hasn't changed. Gather information. The only additional order would be to keep an eye out for Scar. If you see him, you call me immediately." The emphasis was clear: do not call Bulldog. Steel looked to Bones and Cage. "I'm tagging you in. Get to Roanoke and replace Pumpkin and Grumpy. Are you good to stay?" he asked Keys.

Keys nodded. "I'm fine, though I could use a change of clothes."

"Send Cage or Bones your list. They'll be leaving first thing in the morning." Steel looked around the table. "The only decision I am calling for today is what to do with Warren Knight."

"We can ask him questions and then turn him over to the police," Demo suggested.

Bulldog argued back, "He's seen our faces and our cuts. He can tell them we kidnapped him."

"Would Carlos ignore that tidbit?"

"Carlos might but Hannigan and a prosecutor aren't going to," Bulldog pointed out.

Steel ran a hand down his close-trimmed beard. "Call Carlos. For now, we keep Warren Knight. I want some answers. Tell him we're keeping a team in Roanoke and increasing surveillance on illegal activity. See if that will appease him for now."

"And Scar?" Bulldog was weary to ask but it had to be said.

Steel's face tightened. "Tell him nothing about Scar. That's club business and he doesn't need to know about this to do his job."

Bulldog nodded. He wasn't sure if he was grateful or not that he couldn't tell his brother his best friend had run off and he had no idea what his agenda was.

* * *

Their shockfor the day wasn't over. Before Bulldog left the clubhouse to go check on Abby, he wanted to go down into the cellar and look her father in the eyes. He vaguely recalled the man from his childhood, but not enough to have ever picked him out of a crowd.

Bulldog went down into the basement, followed by Steel. Neither man spoke. Bulldog was well aware Steel was following him to keep him from doing something stupid that would get his colors stripped.

Both men froze when they entered, reaching the cellar floor. Warren Knight was hanging from his wrists by chains in the ceiling, stripped of his clothing, and bleeding from numerous slices made into his skin. Steel and Bulldog looked at each other in confusion. This was not the condition they'd left him in when they'd gone up to Church.

They turned in unison and walked up the stairs. Quinten was standing at the top of the open cellar door looking at his phone.

"Q?" Steel asked him. Quinten put his phone away and stood up taller. "Care to explain to me why the prisoner isn't in the same condition he was in when we left him?"

Quinten's eyebrows drew down. "I don't know what you mean."

"Did you go down in the cellar?" Bulldog clarified.

Quinten shook his head. "No, sir. That place freaks me out. I'd never go down there alone." Quinten was six-two with a lean but muscular physique.

Steel and Bulldog exchanged a look. "And no one went downstairs?"

"What? No. Everyone was up in the meeting."

Bulldog's shoulders sagged. Everyone was up at the meeting—until one of them had left. "You didn't see Scar go downstairs?"

"Scar? No. I looked around after you guys came down looking for him, but I couldn't find him. Sorry."

Likely giving Scar the opportunity to slip down the cellar stairs while Quinten was playing Hide and Seek. Typical Scar. No wonder Bulldog couldn't find any footprints of him outside. He'd still been in the clubhouse. Fuck!

Bulldog turned to Steel. "Scar went down there."

Steel nodded. "Question is why. He left Knight alive."

"Ask him questions?" At Steel's are you shitting me face, Bulldog realized what he'd said. "Never mind. Let's go down and see what Knight says."

The two journeyed back down the creaky old stairs. Quinten closed the door behind them.

Once alone with his President, Bulldog put a hand on his shoulder to stop him from going forward. Steel turned to face him. "I'm sorry I lost my shit in the meeting."

"You have every right to lose your shit. Honestly, I'm impressed you held it together this long without losing it. You'd been holding yourself together pretty well up to this point."

Bulldog ran a hand over his bald head. "Doesn't feel like I'm holding myself together. I keep feeling like I'm failing her. I shouldn't feel guilty for not magically knowing she was in trouble all this time, but I do. I shouldn't feel ashamed for having slept with other women, but I do. I shouldn't feel like I have a volcano getting ready to erupt in my belly, but I do. And I shouldn't feel like a goddamn horny teenager whenever I'm around her, but I do!" Bulldog closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm not holding myself together at all, Steel. To quote Abby, I'm a mess."

"Son, if the love of your life comes back into your life beaten, raped, and pregnant, and you didn't feel any of that, I'd probably have you committed."

Bulldog snorted. "Mom said the same thing."

Steel's lips twitched in a rare smile. "Louisa's a smart woman." He sobered. "Abby probably feels just as conflicted. I know you don't want to hear it, but I think both of you need to seek some professional help. You're both clinging to the other with this unassailable fear you're about to lose the other again. It's not healthy."

Bulldog shifted, the phantom feeling of ants crawling up his spine. "I can't help it. I took my eye off of her for a minute today and look what happened. That man was feet away from my daughter."

"You can't blame yourself for that." Steel reached a hand to touch Bulldog's arm. "You feel responsible for everything. It doesn't matter how large or small, or who is really to blame, you take responsibility for it anyway. Look at what you have done for your mom and brother both before and after your father left. Look at everything you do for the club and our families. It's why I made you SAA. There was no one else for the job." He squeezed Bulldog's arm. "But you also have to remember you're not alone. The burden of responsibility doesn't fall just on your shoulders.

"What Abby went through was horrible. Despicable. I hope you know that it's not that I don't want to seek justice for her or that I don't believe she deserves it in comparison to the other ol' ladies and Bree." Steel's face and voice turned serious. "It's that I don't believe us destroying the community is worth destroying your relationship with Carlos, especially when there's another way that will get nearly the same results."

Bulldog closed his eyes in chagrin. "I hadn't even thought of that. I get it and I appreciate your consideration. I owe all of you an apology."

"Not sure that's the reason behind the others voicing their opinions, but I wanted you to know mine. If Carlos wasn't so against this, I'd be right by your side burning that hellhole to the ground."

He gave Steel a half smile. "Thank you. I was so angry, I wasn't seeing straight."

"I have a feeling that's why Scar did what he did. He could see you were going to go to Roanoke, no matter what the club decided."

Guilt filled Bulldog. "And I'd be stripped of my colors if I did. Fuck!" He ran his hand down his long beard. "He shouldn't have done that for me!"

"I think you're one of the only people he would have done that for," Steel said evenly. "We'll discuss Scar later, depending on what happens." He nodded his head over to the man dangling from the ceiling. "Let's figure out what this asshole knows."

* * *

Carlos was glaringdaggers at Bulldog from across Steel's kitchen table. Since the ol' ladies and kids, in addition to Scotty who'd been picked up from Mrs. Henderson's house, were all at Harper and Lucky's house, they'd called Carlos to meet them at Steel's.

"What do you mean you can't give me Knight?"

Steel looked Carlos directly in his eyes. "It's not an unwillingness to hand him over, Deputy. It's the fact that we don't have him to hand over to you. We never did."

Carlos's nostrils flared. Calling him ‘deputy' was a clear indication that Steel was lying to his face. "And if I search the clubhouse?"

"You're welcome to search to your heart's content. He's not on club property."

Carlos turned his ire to his brother. Lucky, Steel, and Bulldog were the only members in this conversation with Carlos. Bulldog felt it was best, so it didn't seem like they were ganging up on him. "We all had our suspicions the night Abby came back that their situation was linked to Mateo Castillo. I called you because it was Abby, but I also thought you had a right to know if Juan Castillo had gone back on whatever deal you struck with him." Carlos looked pointedly at Steel. "Don't worry. Bulldog told me nothing, but I saw and heard enough to know that you had to have made some sort of deal with Juan." Carlos shifted his gaze back to Bulldog's. "I'm happy for you, brother, I really am. I hope you know that I'd never do anything to hurt her, you, or your kids, which I am so proud of you for stepping up to take care of them.

"But I truly wish I'd never called you that night. I put you on this dark path you're headed down." Carlos tipped his chin at the cuts all three men were wearing. "Cum Honore Ministravimus. Cum Honore Equitamus. I hope you honor those words you wear so proudly on your back, grande fratello." He picked up his wide-rim hat and placed it on his head. "Please don't make me have to arrest you. It would break di nostra madre heart."

Carlos headed towards Steel's front door and then his boots squeaked as he came to a sudden stop. The three VDMC officers looked over to see Clara standing wide-eyed at the entrance of the kitchen. Her raven hair was pulled up in a messy bun. She was wearing yoga pants, a loose sweatshirt, and fluffy ankle socks on her feet. In her hand was a blue sippy cup.

Her breathing was short and she looked panicked as her eyes landed on Carlos's badge on his breast pocket.

No matter how upset Carlos was at the club, he was still a gentleman. He quickly bowed his head and stepped to the side so she could pass. "Pardon me, ma'am. I didn't see you."

Steel quickly approached. He placed an arm around Clara, casually putting his body between her and Carlos. While Bulldog knew it was for Clara's sake, he also knew his brother had caught the move. His eyes narrowed, but Carlos also took a step back.

"This is Jenna's niece, Clara," he lied. "She's recently widowed and has been staying with us."

Carlos's suspicion changed to sympathy. "I'm very sorry for your loss, ma'am." He waited but Clara said nothing. She scooted herself even further behind Steel's body. Carlos's eyebrows drew down. He opened his mouth to speak but Bulldog got his attention and shook his head. Carlos closed his mouth again. The brothers might not be seeing eye to eye on the community situation, but they still trusted each other. That would never change.

So instead, Carlos just nodded his head to Steel and then walked out the front door.

Steel rubbed his hand up and down Clara's back. "Take it easy, sweet girl. Carlos might be a cop, but he's a friend of the club."

Clara was still shaking as she took a step towards the fridge. "I'm sorry to interrupt. I was getting Kyle some more milk."

Bulldog wasn't the only one with pity in his eyes as he watched the young woman refill the sippy cup. She too had been dealt a rough hand. He hoped one day she'd realize she was safe here and could let down her guard.

Although, he'd thought the same of Abby and her father had still found her.

After Clara left the kitchen, the three men took seats at the table.

Lucky looked to Steel. "What happened with Knight?"

"Scar cut him up good, but he's alive," Steel replied. "Man made a nick over every artery and then longer, deeper cuts connecting them. Like he was drawing a map of the weak spots on a body." Steel shuttered. "We're going to have to make a decision as to what to do about him."

"We don't know for a fact it was Scar who cutup Knight," Bulldog pointed out. "We never saw him do it and it's not like we have cameras down there."

"I don't like our options any more than you do," Steel said harshly. "But what choice do we have? We can't make exceptions for one without making exceptions for all. I'm willing to hold off on his vote until we're finished in Roanoke, but we can't wait much longer than that."

"He did it for me," Bulldog argued softly. "If anyone's colors should be stripped, it should be mine."

Lucky stopped the two of them. "No one's colors are getting stripped today. What happened with Knight?" he repeated.

Bulldog let out a sardonic laugh, even though he felt anything but humor. "Sang like a canary. We didn't even have to ask him anything, and he gave everything up. And want to know the kicker? He did kill his wife, Isabelle, and Keys was right about how and why he'd done it."

Disgust laced Steel's voice as he said, "Isabelle continued to have affairs even after they joined the community. Warren thought being in the community would bring Isabelle to heel, but he was wrong. She had affairs with other men in the community. The community has strict rules regarding adultery, but, true to form, it is the woman who is punished, not the man, even if he forced himself on her."

Bulldog licked his lips, his mouth feeling dry. "Warren isn't high ranked in the community. Even after sixteen years, he's still considered an outsider. He couldn't confirm whether there's a connection to Castillo or not."

"I still think Castillo's a dead end," Lucky repeated.

"Whether it is or isn't, there's another community out there treating women just like Roanoke's is," Bulldog pointed out.

"We don't have the resources to find it," Steel said regretfully. "Hopefully if we find any evidence towards other communities, it'll be enough to turn over to the Feds." He met Bulldog's eyes. "I want to make sure that, if the club votes to turn the information Keys collects over to the Feds, you're okay with it, Bulldog. I've already got one potentially rogue member out there. I don't need a second."

Bulldog had to close his eyes and take a deep breath before he could answer. "As long as Abby never has to be near her father or the others again, I can live with whatever happens. All I care about is her safety and wellbeing. My vengeance, whether it is for her or not, is not as important as that."

"You'll get your vengeance, brother," Steel told him. "It just might not be in the same shape as I originally promised you, but you'll get it."

"What are we going to do with Knight?" Lucky asked. "Is Carlos going to let it drop?"

Bulldog wasn't honestly sure. Carlos believed he was saving Bulldog and the VDMC by pushing them to stay within the law.

"Well, just to make sure Carlos isn't monitoring the clubhouse," Steel said cynically, "I'm ordering everyone away from the cellar door. At least a week should do it. We'll just have to see what's still down there once we're absolutely sure Carlos doesn't have us under surveillance."

Bulldog looked up and met his President's eyes. He'd never been so proud to be this man's Sergeant at Arms than he was then. "Maybe we should make it two weeks. Just to be sure."

Steel smiled devilishly at him. "Just to be sure."

* * *

With the Santiagohouse no longer secure, Bulldog, Abby, their four kids, and Louisa were spread out between Bear's, Lucky's, and Angel's homes. Bulldog and Abby slept in Angel's guest room with Caleb and Georgie. Scotty and Lila got along like peas in a pod so Harper offered to take Lila. According to Lucky, Lila had a tendency to slip into Scotty's room at night to cuddle with him and his dog Spot. Cassie and Louisa moved into the guest room and den in Bear's house. Bree wanted Cassie to stay with them too, but Cassie would have had to have slept in Bree's room on an air mattress, which would impede Bree's use of her own room. Angel had said ‘no' only due to safety reasons; Bree needed to be able to get out of bed and her room on her own if something happened.

A few days after Scar left the clubhouse, Bones reported odd occurrences in the community. Men were found beaten, bloody, and hogtied on the church steps in the mornings. Words like rapist or murderer were carved into their foreheads. Though the men were alive, and their genitals still attached to their bodies, the VDMC could only assume the assailant to be Scar. Keys now spent his days searching the surveillance videos for evidence of Scar but had so far found none.

Since they didn't have a picture of Adrian, and Bulldog wasn't about to show Abby pictures of beaten and carved up men from her former community, there was no way of knowing if any of the men found were Adrian, Gordon, or John. Bulldog had a gut feeling none of them were. If he knew Scar, though, Scar was saving those three men for the grand finale. Bulldog just hoped, whatever his friend had in mind, Scar lived through it.

Abby started having night terrors following her father's appearance in Mount Grove. She would wake up screaming and thrashing. Even with Bulldog there to try to calm her or hold her, her anxiety wouldn't go down for hours following the nightmare. Tessa prescribed a sleep-aide, but that had had a negative effect and made the dreams worse. They even borrowed Aerial from Jumper to try that method. None of it was working. It got bad enough that they had to move Caleb and Georgie to Bear's house to stay in the nursery with Maggie. Louisa took over the babies night care.

Not knowing what else to do, Bulldog contacted a physiologist in Pittsburgh who specialized in abduction and assault victims. That doctor referred Bulldog to a psychiatrist in Philadelphia. Since Philly was a five-hour one-way drive, Abby started doing video calls with Dr. Priya Skurja.

The first session, Dr. Skurja insisted she speak with Abby alone. Bulldog paced outside the guest bedroom after setting up the video call for Abby. Then Dr. Skurja wanted to speak with Bulldog alone while Abby went to get a glass of water from the kitchen. It did not pass Bulldog's notice that she'd been crying.

While Dr. Skurja commended Bulldog for his willingness to take care of Abby, she stressed that Abby needed to find her own identity outside of their relationship. She'd been stripped of her identity for sixteen years, where no one called her by her name and conversations were limited to that of her captors and rapist. Dr. Skurja was concerned how ingrained Abby's current identity revolved around being "José's Abby".

Needing clarification on what she meant, Dr. Skurja informed Bulldog that she recommended Abby and he spend some time apart. Feeling like he'd been punched in the solar plexus, Bulldog inquired about her night terrors. Dr. Skurja said she was emailing over a prescription for an antidepressant that had a sleep-aide in it. She assured Bulldog that it was safe to take while breastfeeding. Since Angel was in the house with Abby, she would be able to monitor Abby for the first couple of nights on the prescription to ensure Abby didn't have any adverse side-effects.

That was how Bulldog found himself sleeping in his clubhouse bedroom. He'd wanted to fight and tell Dr. Skurja that she was wrong about his and Abby's relationship being too codependent, but Dr. Skurja was very convincing that his presence could be causing more harm than good.

Bulldog would rather jump into a lake filled with piranhas than risk hurting Abby.

And it wasn't as if Dr. Skurja had said he couldn't see Abby. She was only recommending they limit their time together.

Bulldog hated it. He was antsy and constantly texting Angel, Jenna, Harper, and/or Tessa for an update. It took every ounce of his self-control not to spy on Abby through the windows or to try to pull a Scar and slip into the house undetected. He spent a lot of time with Cassie, Caleb, Georgie, and Lila to distract himself from the gaping hole in his chest. When Bree and Scotty weren't in school, they also hung out with them at the clubhouse. Melanie was starting college in the fall, and she was very busy putting the final touches on her senior project, so she didn't come around often.

Dr. Skurja started counseling Bulldog too. Since Abby had given her permission to tell Bulldog about any progress, Dr. Skurja always ended their calls with informing Bulldog how well Abby was handling the separation and, after a slight adjustment on the antidepressant, was sleeping much better.

Bulldog was conflicted at that news. What did it mean that Abby was doing better without him? Dr. Skurja stressed that it wasn't because Bulldog wasn't with her that Abby was improving, it was because she was able to concentrate on herself without Bulldog there to distract her. Bulldog didn't really see a difference in those two statements, but clearly Dr. Skurja did because she kept repeating them to him.

Cage's construction company was breaking ground soon. The house Abby had finally settled on was two stories, but the master was on the first floor. Upstairs was three bedrooms with two full baths. Bulldog had two plans for how the bedrooms would work. The first was to make the three upstairs bedrooms into a nursery for Georgie and Caleb, Lila's room, and Cassie's room. Then the den on the first floor would be converted into his mom's bedroom. The second plan was to have the den turned into the nursery and the other three upstairs bedrooms would be for his mom, Cassie, and Lila.

It was Bulldog's hope that by the time the house was ready to be lived in, Abby would be ready to live in it with them.

Bulldog also had several sessions with Angel to get the tattoos on his chest and back worked on. The one good thing about not being physically intimate with Abby yet was that she hadn't seen him with his shirt off or the original tattoos.

Each day, more men were reported brutalized and left on the church stairs of the community. Once the community members had started posting guards at the church at night, the beaten and carved men started being left in the streets outside their individual homes. The total number of men who'd been assaulted were fifteen. With the club's average of sixty-five men in the community, if Scar was going after each member, he still had a long way to go.

* * *

Two weeksafter Scar had walked out of the clubhouse, Carlos had shown up at Steel's house. Steel called Lucky and Bulldog immediately over.

Carlos opened an email on his laptop with a video attachment. A man dressed like a priest in black robes and a white clerical collar appeared. He was standing in a church with crosses and murals of women kneeling before men with their hands raised in the prayer position. While the man had his head held high, it was obvious he was nervous from the sweat on his brow and random twitches as he spoke.

"My name is Abraham Bishop. I am a disciple of the Lord our Father God and the High Reverend of the Heaven Haven Community. We are men who praise the Word of God and follow His teachings. We are Holy Men. We do not bow down to the modern woman who believes she is better than or equal to man. We rise above modern teachings and treat our women for what they are: the descendants of the harlot Rahab. As such, they are to be beaten daily, made to bear our children, and used for their natural wiles.

"This is the Word of God. I am a Holy Man."

Then a gunshot rang out, but the video cut off before the viewers could see if the Reverend with the holiest made-up name Bulldog had ever heard was dead.

Carlos closed his laptop. He crossed his arms and rounded on them. "I know Grumpy and Pumpkin are back. That leaves Bones, Cage, and Keys in Roanoke. Which one of them did this?"

Steel's phone rang. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. Keys ran across the screen. Steel looked up at Carlos, who stared back at him, daring him to answer the call.

Steel ran his thumb across the screen, staring at Carlos right back. "Keys, what's going on?"

"Shit, Steel, you're not going to believe this. The Reverend was found hanging in the community's church this morning."

"Hanging?" Steel repeated. Bulldog was equally confused; he'd also heard what he'd thought was a gunshot.

"Crucified would be a better word. He was strung up from the rafters, dangling from his arms. Someone called the Roanoke PD. It took a while, but they finally gained entry into the church. It's chaos down there. There are pictures all over the inside of the church. It's littered with them. I heard over the scanner that they're calling in the Feds."

Steel and Carlos were still having a staring contest as Steel asked, "Anyone mention a video?"

Keys paused. "A video? Of what?"

Carlos answered, "Of the Reverend's confession and possible execution."

"Oh hey, man, I didn't realize you were there too." Keys sounded a bit nervous, like he was trying to figure out if he'd revealed club business in front of Carlos. "Um, no. I don't think a video was mentioned."

"Stay where you are," Carlos ordered Keys. He raised an eyebrow at Steel, challenging him to argue. "Cage and Bones too. I'm headed to Roanoke to turn the video over to the investigators in charge. They're going to need all of your surveillance records and are, no doubt, going to want to speak with all three of you. Make sure you have your alibis ready."

Bulldog wasn't sure if that last statement was because Carlos believed they were guilty and wanted to give them time to create a paper trail that would place them anywhere but in Roanoke, West Virginia, or if he thought they were innocent and was telling them to have alibis so he could prove it to the Feds.

"Bulldog and I will be coming with Carlos," Steel informed Keys. "We'll be there soon."

"Sounds good, Prez. I'll see what else I can find out here."

They hung up. Steel pocketed the phone. He raised an eyebrow back at Carlos.

Carlos's jaw ticked. "I need to make a phone call. I'll be right back. We're taking my cruiser."

"Sure thing, deputy."

Once Carlos was out of his house, Steel turned to Lucky. "It's been two weeks. Knight's a goner by now. Have the prospects get rid of him. Now's the time to do it with Carlos out of the way."

"Sure, except I've never done that before," Lucky pointed out. "Where exactly does one dispose of a body?"

"On a pig farm," Bulldog told him. "Pigs eat anything. Make sure you go teeth hunting in a few days." He slapped Lucky on the back, whose jaw was hanging open, and turned to Steel. "Why are we going to Roanoke?"

"To see if we can catch up with Scar and get him to return before he does anything else crazy."

Bulldog was all for that idea.

* * *

Keys had not been joking.The High Reverend was dangling from the ceiling rafters by his wrists with rope, spreading his arms like eagle wings. It was unclear whether he'd suffocated or bled to death. He did have a bullet wound in his chest, but it wouldn't have been fatal if he'd gotten medical attention. He had also bled from his eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. The entire spectacle was unnerving.

Photos had been printed and hung all around the walls of the church. On each one, there was a label with the address it was taken in. The pictures showed emaciated women in old fashioned dresses, women crying with bloody wounds, teenage girls bound and gagged, nurseries filled with babies and toddlers with old, frail women looking after them, and, the most gruesome of all, a fearful woman bound to a contraption with a naked man in the background. It was later discovered that the pictures were taken in the houses of the men who had been discovered assaulted and carved.

SWAT had been called in to keep the men of the community in custody and under control while the Feds went through every inch of the community. Ambulances by the dozens were called in to help with the rescued women and daughters. The younger boys of the community were in good health and placed in a different area. The boys who'd hit puberty were placed in yet another room after one boy, maybe thirteen, had confessed to being a man and having a wife and children.

Cage, Bones, and Keys had taken off their cuts after the media had shown up; Bulldog and Steel had not put theirs on after riding in Carlos's cruiser. They were doing their best to remain out of the way and not in view of any cameras. Carlos was dealing with the Feds and trying to explain why he, a deputy sheriff from a town over three hours away from Roanoke, West Virginia, had received the email with the High Reverend's confession. Carlos's answer of "I don't know" wasn't flying.

To be honest, Bulldog was wondering that question too. Why would Scar send Carlos that video when he knew they were trying to keep Mount Grove out of the investigation?

While Keys was only licensed as a private investigator in Pennsylvania, the law stated that he had to start his investigation in his licensed state before he could cross state lines. He claimed that a family in Pittsburgh had hired him to find their missing daughter and his investigation led him to the Heaven Haven Community. The surveillance equipment he'd put at the motel room where Bones, Cage, and he were staying proved that the three of them were in the motel room last night when the murder took place.

Keys was now going through his files with a federal agent to see if there was anything the Feds could use in court against the community men. While Keys never caught on camera or audio whoever put the beaten and carved up men on the church steps, he did catch conversations other men had stated in retaliation. They believed their women were starting to fight back.

Keys also made sure to tell the federal agent that they suspected many of the women were victims of human trafficking as well as from other communities like this one. Though they didn't have proof, the agent said they would look into it.

As Bulldog stood off to the side watching, he was also listening for Adrian's name. At the very least, Bulldog wanted to watch the bastard being dragged off in chains. But of all the names mentioned, Adrian's wasn't one of them.

A woman named Milly was though. Apparently, she was missing as of last night.

Steel and Bulldog exchanged a look at that one but remained quiet. Milly was Abby's friend who had helped them escape.

It was well into the evening by the time the Feds told Carlos he could go home. Steel and Bulldog rode with Carlos in his cruiser back to Mount Grove. Cage, Keys, and Bones took the VDMC SUV that they'd had with them back. They were no longer needed in Roanoke.

"Did they say who called the police?" Bulldog asked Carlos from the backseat.

Carlos glanced at him in his rearview mirror. "They said a woman called to inform them of the murder. She also stated that she'd been raped and being held against her will. The call was from a burner though and couldn't be traced."

"You think it was Milly?" Steel asked Bulldog. He was sitting up front in the passenger seat.

"Who's Milly?" Carlos asked.

"The missing woman the Feds kept mentioning. She helped Abby and the kids escape, but didn't leave with them," Bulldog explained.

Carlos shook his head in disgust. "Another of Adrian's wives, no doubt. Did you hear that one man had seven current wives? The man's in his fifties! How many wives do you think he's had over his lifetime? Completely sick."

Bulldog let out a sardonic snort. "The entire community was sick."

"Don't think I didn't notice Scar's been absent for almost two weeks." Carlos stared straight forward. "He hasn't been at Demon's or the clubhouse."

"Scar had something come up and had to leave for a bit," Bulldog fibbed to his brother.

"Scar did? What, he's visiting family or something?" Carlos obviously didn't believe him. Bulldog had always wondered if Carlos had put together the connection between the solider Bulldog had introduced to him as Julian nearly fifteen years ago and the scarred, tormented club brother he knew as Scar. Bulldog had never brought it up, or mentioned that Carlos had met Scar prior to his imprisonment.

Steel turned hard eyes on Carlos. "Scar may be different from the rest of us after what he's been through, but he still has the right to family and the respect to go visit them without being lambasted."

Carlos actually looked ashamed. "You're right. I'm sorry."

The cage was quiet for a while and then Carlos asked in failed nonchalance, "Tell me about Jenna's niece. Clara, I believe you said her name was. How long is she staying for?"

* * *

Abby couldn't seemto stop pacing. She'd walk exactly five steps, turn, and then walk another five steps. Repeat. From the living room, she could hear Angel on her phone discussing what had happened at the community. She also knew that José, Steel, and Carlos had driven down to the community earlier that day.

The Reverend was dead. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. She'd never met the man, but he'd ruled the community where she was held against her will for sixteen years, resulting in torture and eventually rape. Was she a bad person if she felt happy he was dead?

Then there was the fact that José was currently at the community. She didn't like it and had an irrational fear that he would be tainted by that place.

As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she pulled out her phone to call Dr. Skurja.

The phone rang twice before she picked up. "Abby, are you all right?"

"No," Abby told her. "I need to see José. Please. I need to see him."

"Why don't you tell me what's going on and then we'll figure out our next steps?"

Abby sat down on Angel's couch and told her doctor everything that she knew about what was going on in the community. Other than the club, Dr. Skurja was the only other person who knew everything about Abby's life at the community. Including how they'd escaped and illegally driving a minivan across state lines.

"Do you honestly think José will come back from the community and suddenly share their values?"

Abby winced. "No."

"Then what's really troubling you?"

Abby wasn't sure. She sat quietly for a moment to think about it. Dr. Skurja didn't pressure her to answer before she was ready. "I think it's Adrian. Up until now Adrian's been a mystery to him. He doesn't know what Adrian looks like or sounds like. He's my monster."

"And you think if José sees Adrian or talks to him, that he'll become José's monster too?"

She cringed at how ridiculous it sounded. "That makes no sense, but yes."

"Abby, it's completely normal for you to fear Adrian. The man terrorized you and repeatedly raped you. It's a miracle you survived at all. José seems like a strong and capable man. From how you've described Adrian to me, he doesn't seem like a match against José, who has military training to boot." Dr. Skurja paused before saying, "Now, I want you to repeat after me: ‘Adrian is no longer my monster.'"

Abby took a deep breath before repeating the sentence.

"‘I am free and no longer under anyone's control.'"

Again, she repeated the doctor's words.

"Good. Good, Abby. José will be back before you know it. If you feel yourself start to panic again, I want you to repeat those sentences, okay?"

"Okay," Abby agreed.

"Remember the breathing exercises too. In your nose for five seconds, hold for five seconds, and out your mouth for five seconds. Repeat until you feel your breathing is under control."

"I remember," Abby told her.

"Very good."

"I'm sorry I called you in a panic."

"It's no trouble at all, my dear. That's what I am here for. Now, do you still feel like you want to see José tonight?"

Abby bit the inside of her lip. She felt like Dr. Skurja wanted her to say no, but she'd promised herself that she wouldn't lie to the doctor so she could get better faster. She hadn't had a night terror in over a week with the help of the antidepressant she was now taking. "Yes," she said honestly. "I want to see him."

"That's fine." Abby raised her eyebrows in surprise. She heard the doctor chuckle. "Surprised I didn't argue? Yes, it's fine if you see José. I'm not recommending the two of you stay away from each other to hurt or punish either of you. Believe it or not, Abby, he needed to work on some things too. You came bulldozing back into his life and he wasn't processing some things very well. No matter what he says, the space has been beneficial for him too."

Abby bit her lip. "When we talk next, do you think we could discuss…sex? I mean, me being with José that way?"

"Of course. I'll make a note, so we don't skip over it. Anything else for tonight?"

Abby shook her head. "No. I'm better now. Thank you, Doctor."

"My pleasure. Talk to you soon."

"Bye," Abby said before she hung up. She sat back on the couch and let out a long breath. "I can hear you out there, Angel. You can come in now."

There was a slight creak on the hallway floor as Angel approached. "Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

"Well, you walked by when I was mentioning wanting to have sex with José, so it's only natural for you to be curious."

Angel chuckled. She sat on the couch next to Abby. "Do you think you're ready? To have sex, I mean?"

Abby shrugged. "For so long sex was something I feared. With Gordon more than John, I knew what they were doing to their wives. And I was grateful it wasn't happening to me, but I also… I didn't want to have sex with them." Abby shook her head. "It's difficult to explain."

"Actually, I think I get it. You were told you were ugly and old for so long that you started to believe it yourself. Then Adrian raped you, but not because he wanted you. It was because he was without a wife and you were there."

Abby swallowed hard. "I never wanted to have sex with him. I didn't want to be raped."

Angel reached over and grabbed her hand. "Of course you didn't. But there's a world of difference between wanting to be raped and wanting to be wanted." She squeezed her hand. "You don't believe Bulldog when he tells you you're beautiful, do you?"

Slowly, Abby shook her head. "It's hard to believe him. Not because I think he's lying on purpose," she added quickly. "I think he's loved the idea of me for so long that he's not seeing the real me now."

"Do you see the real him? Do you see him as the man he is or the boy he was?"

"I see the man," Abby said without hesitation. The hunky, muscular man who claimed her soul.

"Describe him to me. More than his attributes, describe who Bulldog is to you."

Abby sat silent for a moment. "He's my security blanket. Even when I was a kid, and even more so now, it's like he's this barrier between me and the world. Everything feels better when he's around. I know he'll catch me if I trip. I know that he'll get me water before I realize I'm thirsty. I know he'll hold me if I'm cold. He's my knight in shining armor, not for the things he does, but how he makes me feel. I'm not complete without him."

When she looked up at Angel, she was shocked to see Angel's tears as well as her smile. "That, my dear Abby, is exactly how he feels about you too. The day you came to Mount Grove, Tessa and Bulldog drove you to the animal clinic. Do you remember?" Abby nodded, recalling the relief she'd felt at finally seeing José again after all those years. "Tessa told us later that she asked him who you were to him. Want to know what his answer was?" Curious, Abby nodded again. She'd fallen asleep before she'd heard his answer. "He said you were his everything."

Abby's breath caught.

"I've known Bulldog a long time. We were placed in the same squad during our second tours. He never once looked down on me because I was a woman, nor was he harder on me for it. I always respected him for that. But I also worried about him."

"You did?"

Angel nodded sadly. "Bulldog's a protector. It's who he is down to the marrow of his bones. He'll lay down his life for anyone under his protection. I've admired his tenacity for years. They named him accurately when they dubbed him ‘Bulldog'. Here's the thing though, and I doubt many people have seen it. There's always been this…loneliness to him. Like, a piece of him was missing. It wasn't until I saw him with you that day I came to his house so you could go to the doctors that I understood what was missing. It was you." Angel cleared her throat. "So don't think for a second that he doesn't see you or that he's lying when he says you're beautiful. Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think he cares too much what you look like on the outside. It's you he wants. Your mind, your heart, and your soul."

Abby felt tears stream down her cheeks too. She sniffled. "Thank you, Angel. I needed to hear that."

"And if you think you're ready to have sex with him, more power to you. But don't do it because you feel you have to. Bulldog's not the type to ever pressure you or stray because he's not getting some."

Abby bit her lip. "He's been with other women."

Angel snorted. "He's been with a shit ton of other women." When Abby winced, Angel nudged her shoulder against Abby's. "If you asked him anything about those women, I guarantee he wouldn't be able to tell you their names, hair color, anything. But he knew you the second he saw you, even though it's been sixteen years. He's never had a girlfriend as long as I've known him. Just remember, there's a difference between fucking and making love. You can guess which one he'll be doing with you."

"He's got so much more experience than I do."

Angel was silent for a moment before asking, "Abby, have you ever had an orgasm?"

Her cheeks heating, Abby shook her head. "I've never… I mean, I tried once but it felt wrong when I was locked in a basement wearing chains on a moldy old mattress. So I just…stopped."

"Huh."

"What?" Abby asked Angel.

She stood up. "Come with me."

Abby stood too. "Where are we going?"

"Well, I bought something for me that I haven't opened yet and have now decided to gift to you instead." Angel led her down the hall towards her bedroom. "Come on, Abs, you're about to have your first battery-assisted orgasm."

* * *

Bulldog was not preparedfor what they found when he and Steel walked into Steel's house later that night. Sitting at their kitchen table was Milly.

Like when Abby had first come to Mount Grove, Milly's hair was extremely long. She looked to be around sixteen or seventeen. She had wavy blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She wore a raggedy old dress that looked like it came from a fifties catalog. She was also a walking bruise. Black, blue, and yellow spotted nearly every inch of her skin. Three of her fingers were taped together on her right hand, like her fingers were broken and someone was trying to help her set them.

Jenna was handing her a cup of tea when Steel and Bulldog entered the kitchen.

Lucky was leaning against the counter. When Steel raised a questioning eyebrow at him, Lucky nodded once. The task of disposing of Warren Knight's body had been taken care of.

Jenna walked up to them and nodded the three men into the hallway. Once there she whispered, "Lucky brought her here about ten minutes ago. She was dropped off outside the gate."

Though Bulldog had his suspicions, he still asked, "Did she say who dropped her off?"

Jenna looked at him sadly as she said, "By a man with a long scar on his face who didn't speak."

Fuck. She might as well have handed Steel a written confession by Scar. They now had a witness who placed Scar in Roanoke rather than just their really strong suspicions. Steel would have no choice but to strip Scar's colors now.

Steel's face gave away none of his thoughts on the matter. "Has she asked about Abby?"

Jenna shook her head. "Hasn't said much. I can't imagine Scar would bring her here for any other reason than to be reunited with Abby."

Steel glanced over his shoulder and then said, "Let me talk to her. Let's see what she wants before we make any assumptions."

The four of them headed back into the kitchen.

"Milly, is it?" Steel took a seat before her. "My name is Jack Duncan, but you can call me Steel."

She didn't look up from her tea. "You're not the one Abby spoke of. Her boyfriend?"

Steel looked over his shoulder at Bulldog. He took a step forward. "That's me. I'm José Santiago."

Milly didn't look at him. "I'm glad she found you. The girls too? Caleb?"

"Yes," Bulldog said honestly. "They're all here and doing well. They'd be asleep by now, but you can see them in the morning."

The woman, though, shook her head. "I didn't come here to see any of them. I came to give you a message."

"A message?" Steel asked.

"The man with the scar. He's going to take me to my parents' house. I… I haven't seen them in many years."

Scar was taking her to her parents? That confirmed she hadn't been born in the community as they'd suspected. Bulldog stepped forward. "Your parents? Do you know how you ended up at the community, Milly?"

Milly was still looking down. "When I was fifteen I met…a man. I thought he loved me. He was older but I stupidly thought that was endearing. I thought we were running away together to get married. I didn't realize his definition of a marriage until it was too late and I was auctioned off."

Bulldog winced in sympathy. Poor girl. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"I paid for my mistake." Though she turned her head towards Steel, her eyes were still cast downward. She looked up to Jenna. "I appreciate the tea, but I must get going."

"Going?" Jenna repeated, concerned. "So soon? We can help you?—"

But Milly shook her head. "I'm seventeen years old, Mrs. Duncan. I've had two children with men who claim their god gave them a right to my body. I want nothing more than to go home." She reached behind her, and Bulldog recognized the leather jacket that was hanging on the back of her chair. It was so large, it engulfed her as she put it on. "I best get going. I don't want him to leave without me. He needed to just drop off a package."

Bulldog stepped forward. "I'll take her to the gate."

Steel nodded and handed over his truck keys. Their eyes met, and Bulldog nodded back at his silent message. He'd already been intending to ask Scar to stay; they would figure out how to get Milly back to her parents' another time.

As Bulldog walked Milly down the porch stairs to Steel's truck, he heard Steel and Lucky say they were going to go check the clubhouse for Scar's package. Jenna would not be allowed to come with them.

Bulldog drove in silence up to the gate. The fob in Steel's truck signaled the gate to open automatically. This time of night with no party happening, the guardhouse was empty. No one should be showing up at their gates in the middle of the night anyway. And, if someone did, there was a call button outside the gate that went to an intercom inside the clubhouse.

There was a large, paneled van waiting a few yards up the road from the gate. Bulldog didn't recognize it. Then again, Scar didn't own his own cage. No matter the weather, he always had his sled. The cage looked empty.

When Milly made to get out, Bulldog asked her to wait. "Thank you for helping Abby escape. They wouldn't have gotten out with you."

"Abby was pregnant. She was more important than me."

Bulldog wanted to argue, but knew it was pointless. It wouldn't change what had happened. "The guy with you, the one with the scar, can you give him a message for me?"

She nodded.

"Please ask him to come home. Tell him I never meant for him to do any of this for me. I just… I want him to come home." He didn't say anything about Scar's colors. First, because Milly likely wouldn't understand and, second, because that was club business.

Though she still wouldn't look at him, Milly said, "I'll tell him. Thank you."

Bulldog watched and waited until Milly got in the passenger side of the cage. He planned on staying until he saw Scar return, even if he didn't get to talk to him himself, but then the cage turned on and drove away. Fuck. Apparently it hadn't been empty after all.

* * *

Bulldog hitthe brakes outside the clubhouse when the headlights illuminated Abby standing by the double doors. She was wearing jeans, boots, and a flannel coat. Her shoulders were hunched like she was cold.

Fuck! What was she doing out here? He didn't see anyone else around. Had she walked out here all on her own?

Bulldog threw the truck into Park and leapt from the cab. Abby had a furry hat on her head with two cotton balls, making it look like teddy bear ears.

She was fucking adorable, if only she wasn't shivering in the cold.

"Abby," he said as he approached. He took off his coat, cut with it, and wrapped it around her shoulders. She was the only other person allowed to wear his cut.

She smiled up at him, raising her right hand to rest on his cheek. "You smell like sandalwood and oranges. I missed that." She turned her face into his coat and took a long sniff.

He missed her, well, everything. "What are you doing out here alone?"

"Angel brought me. I wanted to wait for you to return. She said you wouldn't be long."

Was Angel inside the clubhouse too? Bulldog stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Red, it's too cold out here. Let's get you inside."

"I feel like I'm burning up, the way you're holding me."

Fuck, he should not feel happy about those words. But damn if his cock didn't twitch in his pants. "You can't say things like that to me, Abby. Not when we're supposed to be staying away from each other."

She gave him a very sexy, very tantalizing smile. "I've decided that I don't want total distance. I know that I still need some distance," she clarified, "but maybe not as much distance. You're too important to me. It hurts too much when you're not around. Feels like our family is divided."

"Fuck, Red, you have no idea. I feel like I left my heart with you and I'm just going through the motions out here."

"Angel had an idea, and I wanted to run it by you."

He brushed the back of his fingers down her cheek. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

"She suggested that we…date. You still live here, and I still live with her. We still work to take care of the kids together—even though I haven't been doing much of the caring. But we can go out together and relearn about each other. We can take the kids to the zoo in Pittsburgh or go for a walk in the park. You know, date. We still sleep in separate beds, but kissing is fine."

Bulldog smiled down at her. "I love it. So, even though we're technically married with children, will you, Mrs. Abby Santiago, do me the honor of dating me?"

She smiled widely at him. "That went a lot easier than when you asked me to our first homecoming dance."

He couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of stumbling over his words to ask her out that first time. "And, just to clarify, kissing is fine?"

Rather than verbally answer him, Abby stretched upwards. She couldn't reach his mouth, but he was thrilled. This was the first time she'd initiated a kiss. He picked her up by the waist and raised her the rest of the way, so he wasn't bending in two.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. He squeezed her tightly against him. Oxygen eventually became a problem. He pulled away but left their foreheads touching.

"I don't know if I've said this to you since you've been back, but I fucking love you, Red."

She grinned. "You may have said it once…or twice."

Bulldog chuckled. "I don't care how long it takes. It's you and me against the world, whether we're in the same house or not."

She nodded against him. "Give me two months. We'll reevaluate then and talk to Dr. Skurja. This separation won't be forever. I promise."

"Take all the time you need. I need you whole and happy, Abby. The rest is just background noise."

He felt her tears against his cheek. He tipped his head to kiss them away.

"Get a room, you two."

Bulldog chuckled and slowly lowered Abby back down to the ground. "Next time you take her out of the house, make sure she has a proper coat," he scolded Angel.

Angel rolled her eyes. "I'm not her mom. If she wanted a proper coat, she could have put one on herself."

Bulldog glared at Angel, but Abby just chuckled and said to Angel, "I got a better coat."

"I see that." Angel eyed Bulldog's cut on her. "You know he just did that so he could stake his claim, right?"

Abby smiled up at him. "I claim him right back."

Bulldog bent and kissed her again.

"Enough of that," Angel interrupted. "Steel and Lucky are waiting for you inside. I'll take Little Miss Ice Princess back home." She exaggerated a yawn. "It's past my bedtime."

Bulldog kissed Abby's eyes, cheeks, nose, and lips before stepping away. Then he handed Angel Steel's truck keys. "She shouldn't be walking out at night like this."

Angel rolled her eyes again. As she and Abby walked to the truck, she asked loud enough for him to hear, "What do you see in him? He's like an overprotective bulldog."

"Yeah, but he's my overprotective bulldog."

"Damn straight," he called after them.

As Angel was about to shut the passenger door, Abby stopped her with a hand out. She looked back at him. "I fucking love you too, José!"

Then, with a wink, the little minx closed the truck door before Bulldog could reply. Angel was laughing her ass off as she got into the truck.

* * *

Bulldog enteredthe clubhouse to find Steel and Lucky standing at the cellar door. It was open, which made Bulldog's eyes narrow. Other than the fact that it was around ten at night, any of the ol' ladies could walk into the clubhouse. Abby had been standing just outside the double doors. Why would they let the hatch just stay open like that?

Steel turned towards Bulldog. "We found Scar's gift."

Bulldog looked down at the revealed stairs. It didn't take a genius to figure out who Scar would have left down there for him. It also made sense now why Scar had sent Carlos that email—to lure them away from the clubhouse. "Adrian?"

Steel made a non-committal shrug. "We can only assume he's one of them. They're…not talking right now."

That was ominous. Steel's use of the plural pronoun, though, was telling.

Standing at the top of the stairs that would lead him down to the men who'd tortured the love of his life and the man who'd tormented and raped her, Bulldog expected to feel that volcanic rage he'd had since discovering Abby was in that minivan. He waited, but the rage didn't come.

A sense of righteousness came over him instead. The law might not agree with him, but the law was created by men who had never faced such monsters like the ones awaiting Bulldog in the cellar.

Never taking his eyes off the stairs, he said to his fellow officers, "Carlos can never know."

"It's club business," Steel said evenly. His voice wasn't judgmental. As Bulldog started forward, Steel put a hand on his arm. He looked over his shoulder at his President. "Unless you want otherwise, we'll stay up here."

Bulldog's eyes glanced between the revealed stairs and Steel. "Why?"

"We don't need answers or anything from them," Steel told him, dropping his hand. "I figured you wouldn't want an audience, but we'll be up here if you need us."

Apprehension gripped Bulldog for a moment. What had Scar done down there that Steel was giving him time alone? Bulldog squared his shoulders and journeyed down.

The lighting in the cellar wasn't great. Though Cage had soundproofed the room, he'd left as much creep-factor as he could. Low lighting, mildew smell, creaky stairs… It was also cold, a draft coming in from somewhere. Bulldog paused at the bottom of the stairs.

Scar had brought him three men, but that wasn't all he'd brought.

Though four sets of chains dangled from the cellar ceiling, none of them were in use. As Bulldog approached, he realized what the men were tied to: those fucking marriage benches Cassie and Abby had told him and Steel about.

Each man was bound naked to what looked like a construction horse. Upon closer inspection, Bulldog realized they weren't typical horses. It had four legs to balance with a wide piece of wood parallel to the floor. Each man's legs were strapped to the back two legs of the bench. His trunk, belly down, was bound by a chain that crossed over his waist. His arms were forced down towards the floor. It didn't escape Bulldog's notice how exposed each man's ass, balls, and cock were—nor was he unable to stop picturing how the precarious position would be for a woman.

How it must have been for Abby and Cassie and the other wives these men had strapped down to these contraptions over the years.

There was a black ball gag in each of their mouths and a blindfold over their eyes. The men had obviously been crying. All three of their cheeks were soaked and snot ran from their noses.

In front of the men was a table set up with an assortment of whips, brass knuckles, and knives. As well as a bowl of salt.

No wonder Steel was giving Bulldog time alone in the cellar. This time was different. This time, it wasn't about answers or understanding a man's motives. This time, it was about vengeance. Pure and simple.

Bulldog called up the stairs, "Close the hatch."

One of the men visibly flinched as the cellar door was slammed shut, echoing loudly down below due to the soundproofing.

Bulldog took off his shirt. No point getting blood on it too. He removed the blindfold from each man, who let out muffled whimpers when they saw their surroundings possibly for the first time. Bulldog walked silently over to the table where Scar had neatly laid out the tools for him to use.

Bulldog picked up a flogger with metal spikes. "Which one of you is Adrian?"

One of the men's eyes widened as the other two looked towards him. Bulldog had his answer. He planned to save Adrian for last.

Not caring which he was, John or Gordon, Bulldog walked up to the man on the left. He started to struggle against his bindings. Without saying a word, Bulldog raised his hand and brought the flogger down on the man's bare back.

The muffled screaming had only just gotten started.